Cello articles & Resources

Image Source / DigitalVision / Getty Images Many beginning musicians wonder, “Is cello hard to learn?” The process of learning the cello is not difficult, but it’s important to keep in mind that the cello is not an instrument of instant gratification. It does require focused, daily practice time and a good teacher to guide you along the way. How far you progress with cello is a direct result of the amount of quality time you put into practicing the instrument. Even someone who puts

The cello is a beautiful instrument, capable of producing a wide range of sounds. In order to create such beautiful music, the cello must be crafted with care and precision. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at the cello and some of its parts.  By understanding the different parts of the cello and how they work together, you'll have a greater appreciation for this instrument.  What Are the Main Parts of a Cello? A cello is a stringed instrument that is played with a bow. I

To become an excellent cellist takes practice, but becoming famous also takes luck. It is often said, “Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.” History’s famous cello players show how true this is. When it comes to learning the cello, listening to professional cellists and studying their work is one of the best ways to eventually master this instrument. This is because there is a lot to learn from those who have succeeded before us.  To help inspire you and your musical journey,

Keeping good cello posture is extremely important for preventing injuries to your back, shoulders, and neck. It takes thousands of hours of dedicated practice to become a cello player, and keeping good posture will help to improve your cello practice by letting you practice longer and more effectively. Posture is easier to practice than it is to repair, so try to build good habits as early as you can and keep them. This article will give you five specific tips for improving your posture to r

If you're new to playing jazz cello, or just want to improve your skills, here are a few tips to help get you started.  First, learn the basics. You don't need to know everything, but having a basic understanding of jazz chord progressions, scales and arpeggios will give you a strong foundation to build on. Next, practice regularly. The more you play, the better you'll sound.  And finally, find a jam session or gig where you can apply what you've learned. Playing with others is a great w

Deciding which string instrument to learn can be a complex topic. Many would-be musicians are paralyzed by the choices available to them, and they aren’t sure what the difference is between some of the most common instruments.  Deciding between the violin, the cello, and other string instruments is an important decision for the sound of your music. If you are thinking about taking up the cello, you need to know the answer to the most common question: what is a cello?   Music and in

Let’s face it - the world isn’t always set up to help people who are left handed! If you play the cello, you might be wondering, “can you play the cello left-handed”? The short answer to this question is…well, kind of. However, there are considerations you will need to make before deciding to play in the cello left hand position - or before going out to buy a left handed cello, for that matter.  First, what do we mean when we say “left handed”? Handedness is the sense tha

Choosing whether to play the violin or cello can be difficult, but this article will help you consider the advantages and disadvantages of each.  The violin and cello are two of the most well-known and commonly studied instruments in the string family. Each one is central to the makeup of the orchestra we know today. Becoming familiar with the pros and cons of these two instruments will help you decide whether the violin or cello is a better fit for you. Is it Easier to Play Violin or C

At some point, your young cellist will grow out of their instrument. Growing out of an instrument is an awkward time for everyone involved and it is not something that happens suddenly. More often than not, finding that it is time to upgrade to a larger instrument is a slow realization that something is wrong in the musical force. If you can consult a professional, please do so! This decision is beneficial for the long run although it presents its own challenges upon the switch.  What Cell

The Suzuki method, founded in 1945 by violinist Shinichi Suzuki as the Talent Education Movement, is one of the most enduring teaching methods, or pedagogies for young string players. Suzuki’s main goal for his music education system was to give students a “noble spirit,” which would instill respect and cooperation through his method. The method was brought to America in the 1960s by John D. Kendall, and today the Suzuki Association of the Americas instructs new teachers and studen